Meanwhile, back at the palace entrance, the Queen Mother, Consort Sasha, Consort Evelyn, Consort Darren, and Prince Kaelith remained standing in heavy silence.
"Did you see that? The mark on his neck?" Consort Sasha was the first to speak, her voice barely above a whisper as she stared in the direction the king had disappeared.
"The soul mark?" Consort Evelyn scoffed softly, folding her arms across her chest. "His Majesty actually marked him."
Unlike the two consorts, the Queen Mother stood there seething with rage. Her hands were clenched tightly at her sides, her sharp nails digging into her palms. The cold expression on her face caused every servant nearby to lower their heads nervously.
A maid cautiously stepped forward before bowing deeply.
"Make sure Consort Finn comes to my quarters the moment the king leaves for his meeting," the Queen Mother ordered, her voice low yet filled with terrifying authority. "I need to speak with Consort Finn immediately."
